10 Android Devices You May Have Missed

You probably know Android is taking over the mobile market. Googleís Linux-based operating system is dominating the smartphone scene in a way that is beginning to look like Windows' and Intelís Wintel stranglehold on traditional x86 desktop and PC systems, according to IDCís third quarter smartphone report. What's more, in the first half of 2013, Android-powered tablets overtook Apple iPads for the first time.

Androidís main advantage is also its Achilles heel. The fact that itís an open-source Linux-based OS means it lends itself well to implementation in a number of projects, including many outside of a Google-hosted space. On the other hand, reports of malware affecting these systems represent the flipside to the open-source coin.

As 2013 draws to a close, it is worth looking back at some of the non-smartphone Android systems out there, some we found on linuxgizmos.com's ongoing list, to see what we may have missed and get a sense of what kind of devices we may still look forward to. Here are 10 Android-based products that have shipped recently while all the attention was focused on the dominance of Androidís mobile phones and the continued sweetness of the 4.4 KitKat version of the OS following its equally successful predecessor the 4.3 JellyBean.

It is my understanding that while Apple's closed system is not ideal for encouraging app developers to do their thing, it nonetheless is good for preveniting the spread of malware by controlling what gets into the ecosystem.

"On the other hand, reports of malware affecting these systems represent the flipside to the open-source coin." open source has nothing to do with the malware issue befalling Android devices.

The only reason why there aren't many malware issues with Apple is becaue their app store is locked down. It has little to do with OS security measures.

If you take this out of the equation the only reason why an an Android device is insecure (Linux after all) is because users don't want passwords etc. when running apps on their smartphone. The same thing befalls iOS and windows phones.

The locked up app store from Apple is both it's biggest asset and flaw.

That said a lot of the devices shown here would have apps installed and so wouldn't have malware issues anyway.

Why would that distinction go to Google and not to Apple's iOS? I see the two battling it out as they already are in industries such as automotive. iOS and Android could become the defining rivalry of the future of ubiquitous computing devices.

It's not necessarily a good thing or a bad thing that Android is becoming like Windows or Wintel. Of course, if you happen to think it's a bad thing--for competition or otherwise--it's worth explaining why....

This is one of the reasons why Google will be the stock of the decade. I do not see the value in Microsoft or Yahoo when you remember that Google owns Android which is becoming the operating system of the 21st century.

The motorcycle helmet is an ideal place to put heads-up "smart features." Being a motorcycle rider, I'd be very happy to have gages and navigation available without taking my eyes off the road. A built-in camera would be nice as well.

The problem with most of the devices is limited targeted audience. But if the price is right then i find robo phones very interesting and useful as i would not be worried about placing the phone at the right place.